What is the best way for a System Administrator to ensure that Account Executives can edit all Contacts associated with their Accounts?

The best approach for a System Administrator to ensure that Account Executives can edit all Contacts associated with their Accounts is to select the option that allows for edit permissions on all related contacts within the Role Hierarchy. By configuring the "edit all associated contacts" setting for the Account Executives' role, the System Administrator grants a broader level of access that specifically allows them to modify any Contacts that are linked to their respective Accounts.

This approach is particularly effective because it leverages the organizational structure established by the Role Hierarchy, which is designed to enable cascading access permissions throughout the organization. As Account Executives need to manage their Accounts along with associated Contacts, this configuration directly aligns with their role and responsibilities.

The other options may seem plausible but do not provide the same level of access or relevance. For instance, simply granting account owner privileges may not apply uniformly across all Contacts, and using Sharing Rules could complicate access by requiring additional managerial processes. Transferring ownership of Contacts with the Mass Transfer Tool is not practical or efficient in a dynamic setting where many Contacts might need to remain linked to their Accounts without changing ownership.